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A new poll has revealed that support for Israel among Americans has reached its lowest level in over 25 years, with less than half of Americans expressing sympathy for the country.

According to major pollster Gallup, only 46 percent of Americans have a favourable view of Israel - a sharp decline from the 51 percent recorded in 2001, and the lowest level since the survey began.

In contrast, the percentage of US voters who express sympathy for Palestinians has risen to 33 percent, an increase of six points from the previous year. This is the highest level of sympathy for Palestinians recorded in the poll to date.

The survey, conducted from 3 to 16 February, coincided with the ceasefire and captive exchange deal between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which began in mid-January.

The poll also found that only 40 percent of Americans approve of US President Donald Trump's handling of Israel's military campaign in Gaza, where at least 61,709 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October 2023.

When asked about voters based on their political inclinations, Republicans were most likely to view Israel favourably, with 83 percent expressing support compared to just 33 percent of Democrats.

Democrats showed greater sympathy for Palestinians, with 45 percent supporting their cause compared to only 18 percent of Republicans.

Support for Israel has generally been higher among Republicans and independents since 2001, but Gallup reports that independents' backing of Israel has now dropped to its lowest level.

Democrats, who historically also supported Israel, have shifted since 2022, with many now expressing sympathy for Palestinians.

The trend is also evident in the growing support among Democrats for an independent Palestinian state. Around 76 percent of Democrats favour the creation of the state, compared to 53 percent of independents and just 41 percent of Republicans, of whom 49 percent oppose the idea.

The Biden administration has faced criticism over its foreign policy towards Israel, particularly over arms sales.

The previous administration's approval of an $8 billion arms deal to Israel, despite the ongoing targeting of Gaza, has sparked calls for an arms embargo against Israel from protesters and advocacy groups.

In August 2024, the US also authorised the sale of $20 billion worth of military equipment to Israel.

Meanwhile, Trump's controversial 'Riviera of the Middle East' plan, which proposed the occupation of Gaza and the forced displacement of Palestinians, has been widely condemned. In response, Arab leaders have rallied around an alternative plan to fund Gaza's reconstruction through a trust fund.

However, the US State Department dismissed the Egyptian-led plan for Gaza, stating that it did not meet the expectations set by Trump.

On Thursday, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff warned that the US would back Israel in any actions it takes in Gaza if ceasefire talks with Hamas fail.

A day before, the Trump administration said it held talks with Hamas over the return of US captives still held in the Gaza Strip, engaging with the Palestinian group for the first time in decades.